A CROWN OF SWORDS The Wheel of Time Book #7 by Robert Jordan Summary by Lars Jacobsson: Edited by Karl-Johan Norén: Prologue. Lightnings (The events in the prologue take place mostly before or during the battle at Dumai's Wells). Elaida is having a palace built for her in what used to be the Warders' practice yard, a palace to out shine even the topless towers of Cairhien. She receives news from Alviarin that Nynaeve and Elayne have been spotted in Ebou Dar, posing as full sisters. Though doubtful at first, Elaida is forced to acknowledge the news when Alviarin produces sketches of them, made by the Ebou Dari agent to the Gray Ajah. She sends orders to Teslyn and Joline, to have them brought to the White Tower. Alviarin also bring news of the Asha'man, now numbering 400 if the agent in Caemlyn is to be believed. Elaida dispatches Toveine and 50 other sisters to root them out. A report claiming that Egwene al'Vere is the rebel Amyrlin convinces Elaida that the rebels are ready to give up. Alviarin proposes increased recruiting for the Guards, the army led by Gareth Bryne is said to number 20.000 men, but is turned down. Elaida has the Foretelling. She sees the Black Tower rent in blood and fire, Aes Sedai walking it's grounds. The Shaido Aiel gather before the attack on the Aes Sedai wagon-train. To make the spears attack Aes Sedai, Sevanna and a few Wise Ones loyal to her has murdered another Wise One, making it plain that she was killed by the One Power. The rest of the Shaido, convinced it was Aes Sedai work, are now willing to attack. At first the attack seems to be a success, Wise Ones wielding the Power are overcoming the Aes Sedai. But then arrives first Perrin's rescue party and then the Asha'man, via Gateways, turning the tide against the Shaido. They flee before slaughter at the hands of the Asha'man. Alviarin, now back in her quarters, receives a visit from Mesaana, who demands to know what Elaida said in their meeting. Alviarin is the leader of the Black Ajah and the head of the Great Council consisting of herself and twelve other Black sisters. She cannot sense Saidar in Mesaana. Pedron Niall receives an important message just before he is assassinated by Abdel Omerna, the false spymaster. Eamon Valda enters the room too late to save Niall, but slays Omerna. The message is destroyed in a pool of wine. Valda plans to be the new Lord Captain Commander, with the support of High Inquisitor Asunawa. Less than 200 Younglings are left of the 581 that Gawyn led to Cairhien. They are looking for surviving sisters, and has just spotted one when they are attacked by Aiel. When the Aiel move on, the sister is gone. 1. High Chasaline In the aftermath of battle, emotions run strong in the camp of Rand's forces. More than 180 Asha'man and 90 Wise Ones are in the camp, together with the captive Aes Sedai. Cairhien and Tairen troops feel none too comfortable around the Aiel. The captive Shaido are naked, since there are no white robes to dress them in, which does not seem decent to most of the wetlanders. 2. The Butcher's Yard Rand is walking among the dead, memorizing the faces and names of the dead Maidens. Both Taim and the Wise Ones want to be in charge of the captive Aes Sedai, Rand gives the task to the wise Ones and orders the Asha'man back to the Black Tower for training and recruiting. He retains 4 soldiers, 4 Dedicated and 1 Asha'man, Dashiva, as an honor guard. Alanna heals Rand's wounds from the beatings and from riding in the box. 3. Hill of the Golden Dawn All Rand's forces Travel to a hill outside Cairhien, so as not to rouse suspicion. They are met by a Wise One, Feraighin, from the tents. Rumors are that Rand has willingly gone with the Aes Sedai to the White Tower, and more Aiel are succumbing to the bleakness. Colavaere has crowned herself Queen of Cairhien, and Faile is in her service, which shocks Perrin. Colavaere claims Rand has gone to Caemlyn or Tear, and will confirm her on the throne when he returns. The rebels south of the city has been joined by Lord Darlin and some other Tairens. 4. Into Cairhien Rand, Perrin, Min, Loial, a dozen Maidens led by Sulin, Aram, Dobraine and Havien with some men and some Asha'man travel to and enter Cairhien. Inside the palace they come across some young Cairhienin that are playing Aiel. They say Faile is one of Colavaere's attendants. 5. A Broken Crown Rand & Co. enters the Grand Hall of the Sun, confronting Colavaere. Faile is indeed one of her attendants. At first Colavaere tries to justify her actions and meet the accusations of treason and murder, but soon she is just looking for a way out. Rand strips her of the crown and exiles her to the smallest farm she owns. She demands the headsman but Rand does not want anymore death. Annoura of the Gray Ajah appears, claiming to be Berelain's advisor. 6. Old Fear, and New Fear Perrin and Faile make their way back to their room, talking of events after Perrin's departure from Cairhien. Perrin finally confronts Faile's jealousy, clearing the air a bit. Rand learns Berelain is on the Sea Folk ship anchored outside the city. 7. Pitfalls and Tripwires Rand travels to Caemlyn with one of the Asha'man, Fedwin. Fedwin is not dressed in the black coat, trying to avoid attention. He is there to keep an eye out for traveling Aes Sedai. He can also bring messages to Rand in Cairhien. Rand learns Lady Dyelin is fighting off nobles trying to claim the throne, she is holding it for Elayne. Rand also meets with Bashere and orders the army in Tear forward into Illian. 8. The Figurehead Egwene meets with Sheriam and Siuan to go over the day to day business of a traveling army. Sheriam, after some coaxing, reveals that the council sent 10 sisters back to the White Tower, outwardly in answer to Elaida's summons, but in reality to spread the word of the Red Ajah setting up Logain among the other Ajahs. Lelaine and Romanda have each put a woman in Egwene's service, obviously to spy on her. Egwene doesn't have the heart to send them away. Through the bracelet Egwene feels Moghedien escape. She also feels that it was a man channeling who freed her. 9. A Pair of Silverpike Areina, a hunter for the horn, and Nicola, a novice in her mid twenties with great potential, try to blackmail Egwene into allowing more lessons for Nicola. She is frustrated that she is not allowed to learn faster. Egwene sends them both away with fearsome oaths, threatening to throw them both out on their ears. After telling Siuan of Moghedien's escape, Siuan suggests letting Faolain and Theodrin snoop around for clues. Egwene receives a letter from Merana, now settled in Caemlyn. They have met with al'Thor and have found him courteous. 10. Unseen Eyes In Tel'aran'rhiod, Egwene delivers messages to Elayne and Nynaeve. She says Moghedien has escaped and that Nicola knows they were pretending to be Aes Sedai before they reached Salidar. They are not to return until they have the Bowl of the Winds, and the matter with Nicola has been cleared up. She meets with Amys, Bair and Melaine. She tells them she is the Amyrlin now, and asks them not to tell Rand. 11. An Oath Faolain (now Blue Ajah) and Theodrin (now Brown), return from their search and tell Egwene that some of the men saw Halima last night. They then swear an oath of loyalty to her. Faolain admits she does not like her but thinks it is wrong the way the other sisters are treating her. Egwene has tasks ready for them. Delana plans to lay a proposal in front of the Hall, that they should declare Elaida Black Ajah. Lord Bryne rides into camp asking Egwene to ride with him to witness something. Egwene agrees and takes Siuan and Myrelle with her. During the ride, Egwene and Bryne discuss how he has planned to conquer Tar Valon. 12. A Morning of Victory They reach a wagon train that has been robbed. Unfortunately rumors from the travelers say Rand has joined Elaida, and Bryne is worried how it will affect morale. Egwene says she is sure he has not, and will let sisters announce the truth as soon as she returns to camp. Following Siuan's suspicions they trick Myrelle into leading them to the secret camp where she and Nisao are hiding Lan. Unfortunately they also find Nicola and Areina there, having successfully blackmailed the sisters. Egwene lets Siuan handle the girls while she convinces Lan that Nynaeve needs him in Ebou Dar. When he sees sense, she helps him a bit on the way by Skimming. To escape punishment Nisao and Myrelle also wear loyalty to Egwene. When back in camp, Halima "helps" Egwene by soothing her headaches. 13. The Bowl of the Winds Nynaeve, Elayne, Aviendha and Birgitte travel to the ship of the Sea Folk's Mistress of the Ships, to ask help in using the bowl once they locate it. The Sea Folk negotiate a tough deal. 14. White Plumes While watching the horse races, Mat spots the darkfriend who tried to kill him and Rand on the way to Caemlyn. He follows her through the throng, at one time finding himself forced to buy a signet ring to avoid discovery. He follows her until she slips into a palace, occupied by Jaichim Carridin. 15. Insects Carridin is in Ebou Dar on orders from Pedron Niall. He is to plunge Altara and Murandy into chaos, which he has succeeded in doing. He is also under orders to kidnap Elayne from the palace. The darkfriend Mat followed is trying to find the cache of ter'angreal for Sammael. Carridin spots Mat outside the palace. Sammael arrives, but when told he says he is not interested in Mat, all he wants is the cache. As soon as Sammael is gone, Carridin orders Mat located. 16. A Touch on the Cheek On his way to see Nynaeve and Elayne in their rooms, Mat is cornered by Teslyn and Joline. When Salidar-loyal Aes Sedai find him, a tugging match begins. He is not able to get away until the queen sends for him. The Queen allows him to write a message to Nynaeve and Elayne, which she promises will be delivered to them. Mat writes that they are unlikely to find anything and should head for Caemlyn. Queen Tylin has chosen Mat for her new pretty, and starts to make pretty obvious advances. She is interrupted when her son, Beslan, arrives. He is introduced to Mat. 17. The Triumph of Logic When returning to the inn two men are waiting for Mat. After defeating them Mat is about to tuck away his knives when he finds a slip of paper in his coat. It says Elayne and Nynaeve are pushing too far and are still in danger from the Tower. Teslyn and Joline argue on whether they should finally report back to Elaida. Falion and Ispan of the Black Ajah are in Ebou Dar, ready to give up their search for the cache. Their house is being watched by a man from across the street. 18. As the Plough Breaks the Earth Rand meets with Mandelein, Iridian and Janwin, all clan-chiefs, to prove he is not under Aes Sedai influence. They are waited on by Merana Sedai. Rand instructs Berelain to return to Mayene. Cadsuane Melaidhrin, probably the oldest living Aes Sedai, walks into Rand's throne room, and immediately starts bullying him, being rude and superior. All the sisters are shocked, they were sure Cadsuane was long dead. Idrien Tarsin, head of Rand's school in Cairhien, arrives bringing grave news. 19. Diamonds and Stars Cadsuane meets with Merana, Annoura, Daigan, Corele Hovian, Bera and Kiruna in her quarters. Cadsuane asks the questions, they answer. Min brings Rand news of Colavaere's suicide. Having just received news of Herid Fel's death, Rand is very sad. Min comforts him. 20. Patterns Within Patterns The Shaido around Sevanna now number less than 20.000, although she expects more to come back. Sevanna, together with her loyal Wise Ones, uses the gray stone cube to summon the Wetlander man, Caddar. He arrives, quicker than expected, with a woman he calls Maisa. He says he has an item that can control Rand, but is unwilling to give it to Sevanna until he is captured. Instead he gives them what he calls traveling boxes, that can transport them to other lands. When leaving, Sammael and Graendal, for that is who they really are, are followed by a man that draws the True Power directly from the Great Lord. 21. Swovan Nights Another attempt is made to kidnap Mat, but it fails. Birgitte visits Mat in the inn, asking him to help them in the search for the cache. After a night of heavy drinking, he agrees, on one condition. Nynaeve and Elayne must apologize to him for the way they treated him after their rescue from the Stone of Tear. Aviendha agrees whole-heartedly with Mat, which makes Elayne agree to his condition. 22. A Small Sacrifice Nynaeve and Elayne visit Mat in his room, and apologize. They also ask his help and advice, and convince him to move into the palace. On their way out Nynaeve and Elayne are stopped by the inn keeper, who is convinced that they are runaways from the Tower, pretending to be Aes Sedai. She threatens to turn them in with the real Aes Sedai, if they won't come with her to the Circle, a group of women who take on outcasts or runaways. Elayne fervently tries to convince her they are real Aes Sedai, buy Nynaeve has an idea. Maybe the Circle knows the location of the cache, and so she agrees to follow the inn keeper. 23. Next Door to a Weaver Setalle, the inn keeper, takes them to the Circle, where there a more than a few women strong in the power. Nynaeve and Elayne are shielded and asked questions to determine if they are truly from the Tower. Elayne gets more and more frustrated and finally demands to know where the Bowl of the Winds is. They are turned out and told not to return. 24. The Kin On their way back, discussing the Kin, as the Circle calls themselves, Nynaeve and Elayne are struck by blunt stone-head arrows. A man tries to coax them into a waiting wagon, but Nynaeve received only a glancing blow and channels him away, together with the rest of the crowd. She then heals Elayne. They suspect Teslyn and Joline to be responsible. 25. Mindtrap Moghedien has reached Shayol Ghul. Shaidar Haran captures her spirit in a mindtrap. After spending some time in a vacuole, Moghedien meets Moridin, a man that has touched the True Power. He now holds her mindtrap and gives her orders. 26. The Irrevocable Words Gathered in her bed chamber, Morgase, Gill, Lamgwin. Lini, Tallanvor, Breane witness the attack of Seanchan forces on the Fortress of Light. After an hour the Fortress is captured. Morgase is taken to see the High Lady Suroth, and is presented with a choice: either she helps the Seanchan and she can remain on the throne of Andor, or she resists and is destroyed. To show her she means business Suroth shows her the former Panarch of Tarabon, now performing for the High Lady. 27. To Be Alone Loial and Karldin, an Asha'man, are off to the steddings, about the Waygates. After a feigned fight between Rand and Perrin, Perrin Travels with 6 Wise Ones, all the Two Rivers men, Aram, Faile, Bain, Chiad, Jur Grady, Fager Neald, Seonid & Masuri (Aes Sedai), Gaul, Berelain, Nurelle, Gallenne, two dozen fake Cairhien maidens, real Maidens and 900 Winged Guards to Ghealdan to find and stop the Prophet. 28. Bread and Cheese Having moved into the palace, Mat cannot escape the Queen. To help Nynaeve and Elayne, he sits with Birgitte and Nalesean outside the Kin's house for days on end, being ta'veren. Nynaeve, Elayne and Aviendha spy on Carridin 29. The Festival of Birds Mat, Birgitte and Nalesean spends the Festival with Beslan and his friends. A third kidnap / murder attempt is made, but is fought off. Upon reaching the tavern opposite the Kin's house, Beslan voices his approval of his mother's choice of pretty. Mat goes off at random, ending up following a woman from the Kin's house. 30. The First Cup Elayne takes charge off the group of Aes Sedai, demanding they tell her of the Kin. Apparently the Tower has known of the Kin since the start. Elayne reveals Mat may have found the Bowl. Moghedien is in Ebou Dar on a mission from Moridin. When she spots Nynaeve on her way to see the Ship Mistress of the Sea Folk, she goes after her. From the roof of an inn she fires bale-fire at the boat Nynaeve is traveling on, slicing it in two. It sinks quickly. 31. Mashiara Trapped in the sunken boat and convinced she is going to die, Nynaeve surrenders completely. Suddenly Saidar fills her and she breaks the boat apart, swimming for the surface. To weak to reach it, she is rescued by Lan, having followed her in another boat. Nynaeve is so happy to see him she decides they will wed that very evening. He will be her warder as soon as Myrelle can pass the bond. Only then does she realize her block is gone. Elayne and the other Aes Sedai enter the Kin's house. After making sure they understand that she is the leader of the Aes Sedai, Elayne offers all of the women another chance to be Aes Sedai by joining Egwene. Reanne, who is 411 years old and the leader, says that there are 1783 women on their rolls, who would all like to be Aes Sedai. This comes as a shock to the Aes Sedai, both Reanne's age and the number of women who can channel. Reanne is about to tell them where the cache is when Mat enters, claiming to have found it, having followed the woman to an almost unused store-room in the Rahad. 32. Sealed to the Flame Covarla, 11 other Sisters and the remaining Younglings reach the White Tower with news of defeat at Dumai's Wells, and of the existence of several hundred Asha'man. Elaida sends Covarla and the Sisters to a village beyond the bridge-towns, to hide. She realizes she cannot recall Toveine and the attack on the Black Tower, since the Sisters are traveling separately and covertly, so as to surprise the Asha'man. Elaida, losing her grip, obeys when Alviarin outlines what she must do to remain on the Seat. She is to stir up hostility between the Green, Gray, Yellow and Brown Ajahs. As soon as Alviarin is gone, Elaida starts planning how to rid herself of her. She visits an old friend, Seaine of the White Ajah, and gives her the task of seeking out traitors in the Tower, people who have been in contact with al'Thor and maybe helped the former Amyrlin escape. Seaine seeks the help of a friend in the Red Ajah, Pevara. Together they will hunt the Black Ajah. 33. A Bath The night Rand ordered the armies forward into Illian, he Traveled to Rhuidean and fetched the two Ter'angreal in the shape of a man and a woman. Believing the night with Min was forced by him, Rand shuts himself away in his room. It is 4 days before Min can convince him that she loves him. She makes him prepare to meet the Sea Folk on the ship in the river. 34. Ta'veren Rand meets with the Ship-mistress. Since Rand is ta'veren she reveals more than necessary, providing Rand with a good ground for negotiations. He demands transport for his troops and supplies whenever needed. He also wants patrols off the western shores and news from Arad Doman and Tarabon. The Ship Mistress says that no ships return from the Aryth Ocean, making Rand suspect the Seanchan are already back. 35. Into the Woods Rand and Min visit the rebel camp outside Cairhien. They meet the two leaders, Lord Darlin from Tear and Lady Caraline from Cairhien.Caraline recognizes Rand as the Dragon Reborn but Darlin does not. Min sees a king's crown on Darlin's head. When they enter a tent they spot Padan Fain in the service of Lord Toram Riatin. Cadsuane is also in the tent together with 2 Aes Sedai friends and 3 Red Ajah from the Tower. 36. Blades Rand is fighting Toram, a blade-master, with practice blades when a bubble of evil strikes the camp. It kills a Red Sister before Cadsuane can take command and lead the flight out of the mist. Fain suddenly jumps Rand, cutting his side with the Shadar Logoth dagger. The wound is on top of the old one and Rand is close to death. Cadsuane and a Yellow Sister, Samitsu, try to heal him but are unable to. They exit the mist, Darlin carrying Rand despite having found out he is the Dragon. On the road they stop a carriage and on the way back Min tells Cadsuane of her and Rand's time of captivity. When Rand is back in bed Flinn, an Asha'man, manages to heal him better than both Cadsuane and Samitsu. 37. A Note from the Palace Mat, Beslan, Lan, Nalesean, Elayne, Nynaeve, some of the Wise Women and some of Mat's Red Arms set out for the Rahad to collect the Bowl. Lan reveals he and Nynaeve were married last night on a Sea Folk ship. 38. Six Stories As they reach the house they are met by Falion, Ispan and a band of darkfriends. They are also confronted by a Gholam, which kills Nalesean and several of Mat's men, and also one of the Wise Women. The Gholam and Falion escapes but Ispan is taken prisoner. They locate the cache and the Bowl. 39. Promises to Keep Back in the palace, Mat tells of the Gholam. Six were created, 3 male, 3 female. The Sea Folk, The Wise Women and the Aes Sedai all agree to go to a Kin farm outside the city to use the Bowl. Olver is missing so Mat and few men stay behind, to look for him. They will join the others as soon as possible. The Seanchan have reached Ebou Dar, and are now attacking. Mat is caught under a collapsing house. 40. Spears Galina, second only to Alviarin in the Black Ajah, is a prisoner of the Shaido. She has helped kill a king, a queen and break two Amyrlins. Sevanna wants Galina for a pet Aes Sedai, to use her power. Sammael arrives with Graendal. Through gateways he spreads the Shaido over the lands, some emerging in front of Rand's troops that are out to clear Kinslayer's Dagger. Shaidar Haran is watching Sammael's actions. 41. A Crown of Swords Rand wakes up. Though not fully recovered he Travels with Min and some Asha'man to Lord Bashere's camp. One of the Asha'man, Dashiva, is almost as strong in the Power as Rand. There he collects the Saldaean cavalry and 15.000 cross-bow men, the men Taim recruited that could not be taught to channel. They travel to Illian where Rand and the Asha'man spread out and channel, setting off all Sammael's wards at once. Rand notices Sammael Traveling and follows. He comes out in Shadar Logoth where he spots Liah, the left behind Maiden. When killing Trollocs and Myrddraal with the Power he is almost struck by Sammael's lightning. He finds himself hanging from a ledge over a hole of unknown depth, when a black-haired man in a black coat helps him up. The man channels, but not Saidin. Sammael is killed (?) by Mashadar. Upon returning to Illian the city is in Bashere's hands and Lord Gregorin den Lushenos offers Rand the Laurel crown, the throne and all of Illian. The Laurel crown is given a new name, the Crown of Swords. Lars Andersson